TERRORIST ATTACKS IN U.S. WON'T BRING SFOR MISSION IN QUESTION

SARAJEVO, Sept 13 (Hina) - NATO-led international peace keepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina have tightened security measures since recent terrorist attacks in the U.S., but those events will not affect the continuation of the peace mission in Bosnia, said a spokesman for the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) in Sarajevo on Thursday. Spokesman Daryll Morell quoted a statement of SFOR chief commander, U.S. General John Sylvester, who said that the terrorist attacks against the United States would not divert NATO's attention from its tasks in Bosnia. SFOR is determined to continue with its peace mission, the aim of which is to maintain stability in Bosnia. Basic operational tasks such as supervision and patrolling will not cease. We shall also continue holding different meetings at various levels, Sylvester said. SFOR spokesman Morell added that he had no knowledge that anybody might have raised a question about the withdrawal of over 3,000 U.S. soldiers currently deployed in Bosnia. Most of them are in north- eastern Bosnia with the main base in the city of Tuzla. He confirmed the situation on the ground was being regularly assessed and that safety measures were being take in accordance with the developments. Precautionary measures have been taken in response to attacks in the U.S., Major Morell said answering a question whether there were direct threats against soldiers from Western countries deployed in Bosnia. The interior ministries of the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb entity are taking additional safety measures on the entire territory of Bosnia. A member of Bosnia's three-man Presidency, Zivko Radisic, has said local security forces are going to pay special attention to the protection of international representatives and SFOR members as everybody in Bosnia would like them to be able to continue doing their job. Since Tuesday, when the terrorist attacks were launched against the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon, an increased number of police officers, including special police, has been spotted in the streets of Sarajevo. They are mainly deployed near foreign embassies, consulates and offices of international organisations active in Bosnia. Bosnia's border service (DGS) is also intensifying its patrols. The control of passengers and luggage has been tightened at airports in the country. Air traffic via the Sarajevo airport is proceeding with no problem and no flight has so far been cancelled. (hina) ms